Jeff Gordon wants to race Corvettes

"StingrayJake" (stingrayjake) 01/30/2015 at 17:39 • Filed to: Jeff Gordon, Corvette, NASCAR, TUSC

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And not in some subpar sequel designed entirely to sell toys.

OK, maybe the TUSC is a subpar sequel to ALMS, but Jeff Gordon told reporters at Thursday's NASCAR Media Day that he's interested in picking up an occasional endurance seat once he's done with his full-time oval career. He's especially interested in joining the Corvette Racing team.

"I love seeing those Corvettes in the 24-hour race in Daytona," Gordon said. "I think that's very cool and I'd love to be a part of that. Chevrolet has been a huge part of my Cup career."

Corvette Racing isn't above bringing on big NASCAR stars for at least the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jr. joined Andy Pilgrim and Kelly Collins to drive the No. 3 Corvette C5-R in the 2001 Rolex 24.

The elder Earnhardt seemed to really enjoy his time in the car. He even mulled over the possibility of DEI taking a car to Le Mans. Unfortunately Earnhardt died two weeks later in a crash at the Daytona 500.

Gordon isn't a total stranger to sports car racing and has a one-time teammate logging time in the C7Rs. Gordon drove for Wayne Taylor Racing in the 2007 Rolex 24, joining future Corvette Racing driver Jan Magnnussen, Taylor,and Max Angelelli in a Riley-Pontiac Daytona Prototype.

I'd like to see him in a Corvette, so long as team boss Doug Fehan has faith in him. He's one of the top drivers in NASCAR and would bring a little celebrity (not McDreamy levels... but at least it'd be in a Vette) to our little niche of motorsports.

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Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > StingrayJake 01/30/2015 at 17:44

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The more I hear Gordon talk about his retirement the more it sounds like a business and family decision rather than a racing decision.

RallyWrench > StingrayJake 01/30/2015 at 17:51

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StingrayJake > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 01/30/2015 at 17:53

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Oh I'm sure. Mark Martin has been racing "part-time" for years and he's 56. Gordon is a youngster in NASCAR years and will probably still be a competent race car driver in 10 years, but I'm sure he doesn't want the grind of trying to go win a championship every week. Enjoy what you do, don't let it consume you.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > StingrayJake 01/30/2015 at 18:06

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Also rumor has it Hendrick is a little sour over losing Kyle Larson, he wanted the spot open so he could guarantee Chase Elliott would race for him. That mixed with Gordon having a young family and having the credibility to go to either broadcasting, part-owner, or part-time made him the easy one to move.

Bird > StingrayJake 01/30/2015 at 18:07

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The NASCAR schedule is brutal compared to other forms of racing...I can absolutely see why he's 'retiring'. I think you're absolutely right...he wants to enjoy what he's doing more.

Shifty > StingrayJake 01/30/2015 at 20:25

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Can you blame him?

StingrayJake > Shifty 01/30/2015 at 20:44

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Who doesn't want to win?

Also, I hope his nickname is Jeff Gorvette.

daender > StingrayJake 01/30/2015 at 21:22

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Shit, I sorta called it ! This'll be awesome if he jumps into a GT class C7R.

Shifty > StingrayJake 01/31/2015 at 10:08

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My only hope is that he doesn't "replace" any of CR's current drivers, who are all dynamite.

StingrayJake > Shifty 01/31/2015 at 13:55

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I don't think he'd replace one of the core four. He'd be an enduro third seater. Briscoe is the only sure thing right now. Jordan Taylor is too talented to remain a third seater at Le Mans and Pagenaud has apparently been cut lose because Briscoe is supposed to float between cars at the other three Patron Enduro races.

And honestly, he'd probably only ever do Daytona. I doubt we'd see him elsewhere.

Shifty > StingrayJake 02/05/2015 at 20:54

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I think it would be fantastic if CR were to put a 3rd car in the WEC full time. It would sure cut down on logistics come LeMans season...

StingrayJake > Shifty 02/05/2015 at 21:53

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Eh, they'd just ended up running three cars at Le Mans, plus Larbre.

Shifty > StingrayJake 02/05/2015 at 23:14

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Yes, but drivers that have lagging qualifications, such as Jason Taylor and Tommy Milner did a few years back, would have a car on hand to run, instead of borrowing Larbre's. I'd imagine a lot of the expensive support logistics wouldn't need to be shipped back and forth as well.